The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-07
PRINCE FERDINAND.

IF He Ascends the Bulgarian Throne He VIII
Be Compelled to DO Russia's Bidding.
Special to the Indianapolis journal
LONDON, Aug 6.-The opinion prevails In
diplomatic circles that If Prince Ferdinand, of
Coburg, goes to Sofia, he will 60, to all intents
and purposes, Russian satrap Indeed. 1t
is understood that mis- submission to the Cars
wishes goes far that he has already made up
his mind to accept Russian officers for the Bull
garian army. The difficulties Of the Bulgarian
situation not likely TO be overcome by
outsider. If foreign prince could have saved
Bulgaria, Prince Alexander would have done 1t.
But in his hour of victory his own
officers plotting against him, and he was too
humane to strike them down while there
yet time The unrest in the Balkans is a mat
ter beyond the control of any of the people
most directly concerned. The great powers
at issue upon the settlement of these disorders.
but they are also anxious to postpone their quar-
rel, and therefore to postpone the settlement
the various states and principalities meanwhile
being kept in suspense The Russian policy is
plain, and has been unaterably declared Bull
garia must be a Russian province and lie to be
brought by degrees to accept that fate. The
other powers, owing to a variety of circumstances
are unable or unwilling to oppose the Russian
advance southwards. Germany has to be ready
for possible troubles in thu west, and cannot
afford to quarrel with Russia about countries
with which she has little connection of her
own. Austria would risk too much by opposing
Russia single: handed. Her best ally. Germany.
is not to be counted on against Russia, except
under peculiar conditions. and Italy is too far
away to be Of much help to Austria. These
were the conditions which made it impracticable
for the powers to assist Prince Alexander at the
time when the terms of the union
of the two Bulgaras were being dis
cussed Deserted by all the powers, the Prince
could be upset by Russia with impunity. The
mission of General kaulbars was not likely to be
resented by governments that had alphabetically
observed all that had gone before. From that
time on the Bulgarians have been left without
friends. When the opportune moment arrives
the moral annexation which has been approved
by the passive attitude of Europe will be fol-
lowed up by military occupation, and che final
embodiment of Bulgaria into the empire of
the Gar. That moment will probably
come when there is trouble in the west
absorbing Germany's attention. Then
will be the time for the Bulgarans to show
what is in them and to find their true leader,
for unless all that has been said of their pa
triotism and bravery is erroneous. they will re
sst Russian invasion. Ii they are left alone it
IS impossible that they succeed. but if the
promises made to them kept they will have
a chance of being saved. Tho Austrian govern
ment has plainly declared that the movements
contemplated by Russia will be the signal for a
war in which Austria Hungary will stake her
existence. prince who intends to go to Sofia
ought to carry in his mind a plan of campaign
gainst Russian invasion. He ought to know
who will be his hackers among the powers, and
how far the promises of Austrian and English
statesmen represent the settled policy Of the
countries they speak for, and the general con-
vctons!of the peoples with regard to their inter-
ests and duties. But prince who had thought
out all this would see that his appearance at
Sofa would be the signal for that general war
that everyone hoped to postpone. If, therefore,
he were a prudent and strong man, he would
keep away from Sofia until. without his initia-
tive. the storm should break. Then. perhaps,
and not till them he might offer to lead his peo-
pie in their hour OF supreme need with some
hope of success This appears to be possible
explanation of that reticence the part of
Prince Alexander which Prince Ferdinand, of
Coburg. finds much at varience with his own
parrulous pretensions.